How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

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Alexis
Engineer
Posts: 111
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:45 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: SK, Canada

How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by Alexis »

Hi,

I noticed after a rain or after having washed my boat, that a little bit of water is entering from the bow light of my 26x. It is the original (cheap) light which is screwed on the deck.

I am throwing a question to the group before I make the decision to upgrade : is there a way to make it water tight? Maybe a little bit of caulking ? Or by adding a rubber gasket?

Thanks
paul I
First Officer
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Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:43 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Niagara Falls, NY 2000 26X w/Honda BF50 "NoneShallPass"

Re: How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by paul I »

Is it one of these offered by BWY

http://shop.bwyachts.com/category-s/167.htm
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rsvpasap
Engineer
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Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:05 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by rsvpasap »

If the light is fully functional and its appearance is acceptable, remove and rebed it using 5200 sealant.

https://bit.ly/2Vl2I4j

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AY6CA/re ... il_2?psc=1

https://thd.co/2GNfgOG

Image
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Chinook
Admiral
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Location: LeavenworthWA 2002 26x, Suzuki DF60A

Re: How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by Chinook »

They're kinda tricky to remove. I don't recall exactly how the screws work, but I think there's a compression fitting the screws set in, which can fall off. You might check with BWY on how to remove and replace.
Alexis
Engineer
Posts: 111
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:45 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: SK, Canada

Re: How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by Alexis »

paul I wrote:Is it one of these offered by BWY

http://shop.bwyachts.com/category-s/167.htm

Yes, it has to be this one. The one on my boat still looks good, though of course the plastic has been UV cooked a bit over the years... This picture made me guess that the flat bottom surface must the culprit: this design is lacking a seal.
Alexis
Engineer
Posts: 111
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:45 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: SK, Canada

Re: How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by Alexis »

rsvpasap wrote:If the light is fully functional and its appearance is acceptable, remove and rebed it using 5200 sealant.
Yes, I think this will be the plan for this year!
Alexis
Engineer
Posts: 111
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:45 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: SK, Canada

Re: How to fix a leak in a stock bow light?

Post by Alexis »

Chinook wrote:They're kinda tricky to remove. I don't recall exactly how the screws work, but I think there's a compression fitting the screws set in, which can fall off. You might check with BWY on how to remove and replace.
Thanks Chinook, I will check that too!
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